ON Thursday, Miguel Tabuena, arguably the country’s top golfer, continues his quest to earn a spot in LIV Golf, joining other golfers in what’s expected to be a grueling elimination series at the Black Diamond Ranch course in Florida.
The top three players in the LIV Golf Promotions will earn full-time spots in the 2026 LIV Golf League. The Top 10 and the ties earn exemptions in the 2026 International Series sanctioned by the Asian Tour.
READ Tabuena pulls off biggest win of career before home fans
Tabuena, 31, is determined to earn one of the spots. The main reason, and the most obvious one, is that it will make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. Just one season in the LIV and his family is set for life. He does not even have to win.
Why this is so is simple. LIV is awash with money, sourced from the multibillion-dollar Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia. Each tournament, and there will be 14 this year, has a total pot of $25 million— $20M for the individual competition and $5M for the team competition.
There are 54 players and there is no cut. The winner pockets $4M and, get this, the last placer takes home $50,000. That’s nearly 3 million in Philippine pesos. Even assuming Tabuena finishes last in each of the 14 events, he is still good for P40M at the end of the season! Now, imagine if he wins an event.
Which golfer in his right mind wouldn’t give an arm and a leg (and other body parts besides) for that insane amount of money playing a game you’re crazy about?
Also imagine that had Tabuena played just a bit well in the last event of the International Series, where the top two players at the end of the season get an automatic spot in LIV, he would've avoided going through this grinder.
He finished third.
And so, Tabuena relentlessly pursues his LIV dream. Doesn’t matter that, in many quarters, this league is simply a money grab and does not in any way advance one’s career. But it does advance a player’s bank account.
He digs in. Doesn’t matter that there are professionals who believe LIV Golf provides neither the difficult challenge nor the exacting grind of a PGA Tour where winners feel rightfully awarded.
He ignores naysayers. Doesn’t matter that many quarters think LIV Golf is a farce, not having earned traction since its inception four years ago, and may just disappear soon.
There are many other reasons why LIV Golf should be the last desperate option. But for now, Tabuena’s eyes are focused on what’s at the end of the rainbow.
We wish him luck. It is still real skill that will get him there.
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